By Mercy Matonga:
The Committee of Chairpersons of Parliament has dropped Sameer Suleman, who is Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, from its quarterly meeting for chairpersons of parliamentary committees.
Suleman’s name has not appeared on the list of committee chairpersons who have been invited to the meeting, which is expected to take place on April 24 2024.
Communication which The Daily Times has seen indicates that the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture will be represented by the Vice Chairperson Ulemu Chilapondwa.
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In an interview with The Daily Times, Joyce Chitsulo, who is Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee for Chairpersons, confirmed that Suleman was not included as he was banned from attending parliamentary proceedings.
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Chitsulo confirmed that Suleman was not invited following the ban imposed by the Second Deputy Speaker in April this year.
The ban was imposed during parliamentary proceedings.
“We are following the rules; the ruling was for quarterly meetings and one full sitting of Parliament, which means he will start taking part in the second quarterly meetings and other sittings of Parliament. We can’t say we have sidelined him,” Chitsulo said.
She added that the committee is well represented by the vice-chair and that there is nothing to worry about.
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During a parliamentary sitting in April this year, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Adams banned Suleman for confronting a fellow Member of Parliament (MP).
“Before I suspended the House, everyone saw what happened and I did give punishment to two honourable members and, after checking my records, I have revised my punishment for Hon. Suleman because our records show that this is the third time Honourable Suleman is attacking people in this House. Therefore, the punishment has been revised to one full sitting,” Adams said.
However, in an interview, Suleman argued that the ban was not extended to parliamentary committee meetings and other functions.
Suleman told The Daily Times Sunday that he was surprised that he, as committee chairperson, was not included and that instead, his deputy is on the list.
“I am surprised that instead of being invited as the chairperson, I have been replaced by my vice and I cannot allow this to continue happening. I am seeking advice from various quarters on what I can do next,” Suleman said.
Suleman added that he talked to the Clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba, who alerted him that his punishment was revisited and extended to parliamentary committees.
A response from the Speaker of Parliament, as relayed through Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye, indicates that the Speaker provided clarity on Friday, April 5, as shown in the Hansard, which indicated that Suleman cannot attend any meeting in Parliament.
“Since the honourable member was not in the chamber on this day, we have prepared communication on the clarification.
“Honourable Member for Blantyre City South East, Honourable Sameer Suleman, cannot participate in any parliamentary business; that means the committees that we have as well as the next meeting of parliament,” the Hansard reads.
Dedza Central East legislator Joshua Malango brought a motion in Parliament to impeach Suleman from his position as chairperson for the Agriculture Committee, citing misconduct in the House.
The move was later withdrawn after Leader of the House, Richard Chimwendo, privately discussed the matter with opposition members.
